Matrix-cleaning machine



Se t. 14 ,-1926. 1,600,096

J. M. COONEY ET AL MATRIX CLEANING MACHINE Fild Maroh-23, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 2o lure/1761s v 0 1,600,096. J. M. COONEY El AL MATRIX, CLEANING MACHINE Sept. 14, 1926. v

Fil'ed'March 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TIE- E ,21 45 TIE; 3

Patented Sept. 14, 1926.

JOHN M. COONEY AND FRANK WINTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MATRIX-CLEANING MACHINE.

Application filed March 23, 1922. Serial No. 546,146.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a machine for cleaning matrices of the kind used in type casting machines, especially those of the well known linot-ype class, and it aims more particularly to provide a practical machine ofthis kind which will be capable of cleaning such matrices more quickly and thoroughly than is possible by hand cleaning, which has heretofore been found necessary, and which will enable the matrices to be cleaned more frequently than heretofore and Without injury to the matrices. By the use of a matrix cleaning machine embodying the present invention, much time and labor will be saved the users or attendants of type casting mahines, and furthermore, the efficiency of such machines will be increased and they will be able to produce more perfect type bars.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the features of novelty being pointed out more particularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a matrix cleaning machine constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of our invention;

V Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the machine illustrated in Figure '1, as viewed from the left thereof;

Figure 4 represents a horizontal section through the machine along the l ne l4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detail view illustrating the matrix separator for the matrix feed trough, and the cooperating matrix-feedin g and controlling means; and a Figure 6 is a perspective view of a matrix of the kind commonly used in type-casting machines of the linotype class.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

Matrix-cleaning machines embodying the present invention are applicable generally to matrices of the kind exemplified by those employed in typographical machines of the line-type class, the machine herein shown and described being especially adapted to clean matrices of that particular'kind. It

is to be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to a machine of the particular construction shown and described, as equivalent constructions are contemplated and these willvbe included within the scope of the claims. I V

In the present instance, the machine embodies a suitable base 1 which is preferably provided with. a lower extension 2 to support a. suitable driving means for the machine, preferably a small electric motor 3, which may be secured in position by the screws 4-. The base in the preferred construction is providedwith an'upright standard 5 which may be utilized as a support or mounting for the various working elements or mechanisms of the machine.

A matrix feed trough 7 is provided preferably near the top of the standard, itrbeing shown as fixed to the front side of the standard, and this trough is adapted to inter-changeably receive any one of a number of matrix supply troughs 8 by which the matrices to be cleaned can be conveniently carried to the machine. Each of the troughs 8 may be detachably supported or mounted in alinement with the relatively fixed trough 7, by suitable means, as for example, by the screws 9 secured in the front face of the standard and cooperating with slots 10 in the detachable trough. The troughs 7 and 8 are preferably channel-shape in cross section and adapted to receive the matrices while standing upright with their. flat sides presented to one another, and the detachable or interchangeable troughs 8 may be made of any suitable length to hold any desired quantity of matrices. Suitable means is provided for feeding the matrices longitudinally in the troughs 7 and 8, a follower 11 being shown for this purpose in the present instance, which is adapted to operate longitudinally of the troughs and is provided with means for pressing it in a direction to advance the line of matrices therein, it being acted on in the present instance by an arm or lever 12 which is pivoted to the base at 13 and provided with a spring 14 which acts in a direction to yieldingly force the follower 11 in a direction from the left and toward the right in Figures 1 and 2, thus bringing the follower up against the rearmost one of a row of matrices contained in the troughs and thereby causing the row or line of matrices to be advanced toward the right-hand end of the trough 7 in Figures 1 and 2.

Means is provided for singly feeding the matrices from the trough 7 to the matrixcleaning devices to be hereinafter described. This matrix-feeding means preferably comprises a chute l5 which may be secured in upright position, or substantially so, to the standard 5 opposite to the right-hand or discharge end of the trough 7, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This chute preferably has a removable front wall 16 to enable access to be Obtained to the interior of the chute, should clogging of the matrices occur, and the opposite or rear wall 17 of this chute is formed with an opening 18 which conforms substantially with the outline of the matrices to be handled, this opening in the present instance conforming with the outline of tie matrix, as shown in Figure 6, the major portion of the opening conforming with the shape of the body M of the matrix and the corners of the opening conforming sub stantially with the usual lugs or ears on on the corners of the matrix. The matrix also has a substantially J-shapednotch m in its upper end, this notch containing the usual combination or distributor teeth. lVhile the opening 18 in the rear wall 17 of the chute corresponds substantially in outline to that of the matrices which are to be the opening 18 is so positioned relatively to the troughs that the lower edge of the open ing is positioned somewhat above the bot tom. of the trough 7, as is indicated in Figure 5. Such positioning of the opening 18 relatively to the trough 7- causes the fore most matrix in the trough 7 to stop against the wall 17, as this matrix resting on the bottom of the trough will overlap the lower edge of the opening 18 and also the upper lugs or ears mof this matrix will overlap the unnotched portions of the opening 18, but when this foremost matrix is lifted to theheight where its lower edge is on the same level with the lower edge of the opening 18, this matrix will register with the opening and the matrix will then be free to discharge through the opening into the chute l5 and to descend by gravity through this chute into the cleaning devices of the machine.

Means is provided for successively lifting the, foremost or leading matrix in the trough 7 into registration with. the opening 18, thereby feeding the matrices singly and successively to the cleaning devices. Preferably and as shown, a matrix lifter 19' in the form of a vertically reciprocatory plunger, operates through the bottom of the trough 7 immediately adjacent to its discharge end, this matrix lifter having a thickness equal to or less than the thinnest matrix that would be handled. ll leans is provided for elevating and. lowering the matrix lifter at appropriate intervals and to an extent just suliicient to lift the foremost in; "rix to the level where it will reg- "w" 1 theopening 18, the lifter being retracted to or below the level of the bottom of the trough 7, after each matrixliftin operation, to enable the next following matrix in the trough to assume a posi -on {'itlllfit the wall 17 and above the inatrix lifte p, its shown in the present instance, the matrix lifter ispivotally con.- nected to one end. of a rocker or lever 20, the latt being, pivotaily mounted on the standard 5, at :21, and having at its oppoe end a pin 22 which projects beneath a shoulder 2:2 formed by doubling over the upper end of reciprocatory bar 23. This bar may be suitably guided on the standard 5 and it. is preferably provided at its lower end with projection 2i which rests, under the weight of the bar, on a suitablyshaped' or n 25, the latter being, nxed on a she 26. :1 3', this arrangement, each revolution of the shaft 28 will cause the cam 25 to act. on the bar. 23 and cause the latter to rise and then descend by gravity and thus cause the rocker 20 to successively elevate the matrixlifter 19 to bring the foremost matrix in the line into register. with the discharge opening 18, after whichthe matrix lifter will be permitted. to descend by gravity during the subsequent rising, movement of the bar 23 to permit the next following matrix to advance to a position against the wall 17, thus assuming a position directly above the-matrix lifter.

Means is preferably provided for insuring the lifting and discharge of one. matrix only at each operation of the matrix lifter. The means provided for this purpose. in the present instance, comprises a matrix separator 27 which is fixed in the top of the trough 7 and has a substantially V-sh'aped portion which projects downwardly into the trough so as to lit into the v -shaped notches m in the tops of thematrices. The front end 27 of the separator is spaced from the wall 17 a distance sufficient to. accommodate the thickest matrix to be handled In View of the fact, however, that many of the matrices of a nntrix font are relatively thin, means is provided that will permit the t-hick- -st matrices to be lifted pastthe end of the separator and into-register with the opening 18, but will prevent the lifting of more than one of the relatively thin matrices into such position. The present invention provides a device for accomplish ng this'result which takes advantage of the fact that allmatrices' ly thick matrices to be lifted singly between wardly from the apex of the V-shaped notch m, this kerf extending only partially through the thickness of the body of the matrix. The device provided by the present invention for controlling the lifting of the matrices embodies a blade 28 which is fixed to the end of the separator 27 which is adjacent or opposite to the discharge opening 18, this blade projecting from the end 27 of the separator toward the discharge opening'18 to an extent that will enable relativethe end wall 27 of the separator and the wall 17, but will prevent the liftingof more than one of the relatively thin matrices at each upward movement of the lifter 19. The lower edge of theblade extends parallel with the direction of advance of the matrices, it being preferably in line with the lower edge of the separator 27 and the blade is sufficient 1y thin to enter the kerf m in the rear sides of the matrices. By providing a construction of substantially the character above described, lifting ofmore than one matrix at each operation of the matrix lifter, due to the clinging of one or more'of the'followi-ng matrices to the foremost matrix or to one another, is prevented, and hence feeding of the matrices one. at a time to the cleaning devices is insured. Manual means may be provided for temporarily interrupting the feeding of the matrices, should such be desirable, a handle 29' being provided for'this purpose in the present instance, the end 30 of which is arranged to engage the rocker 20 and to thereby hold the lifter 19 in its elevated position against the action of gravity and with the pin 20 below and hence beyond therange of movement of the ledge or shoulder 22 on the bar 23 so that continued operation of the bar 23 will not actuate the matrix lifter, when the handle 20 is moved into the full line position shown in Figure 1,

thus enabling the feeding of the matricesto be interrupted at will, without interrupting the operation of the remainder of the machine. This handle, however, will normally occupy the dotted line position (Figure 1) and it then can not affect theoperation of the matrix lifter. y

The matrices as they discharge one at a time from the lower end of the chute 16 are operated on by cleaning devices which clean the flat sides thereof. These cleaning devices comprise preferably a pair of belts 31 and 32 which may be composed of or faced with felt or other suitable material. These belts preferably are fiat or substantially so, they being driven by pulleys 33 and 34 mounted respectively on shafts 35 and 36, the belts being gu ded by idler rolls 37 and 38, so that they are caused to travel downwardly in close proximity to one another and in a location to receive the matrices which are delivered thereto from the chute 15. Prefer- 39 and 41, as is indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. Belt tensioning pulleys 42 and 43 maybe provided for the belts 31 and 32-respectively, in order that these belts may be maintained at a proper tension.

Means is provided for temporarily intercepting and holding each matrix while it occupies a position between the working faces of the belts 31 and 32, whereby a rubbingor other suitable cleaning action will be produced by the belts on the two opposite flat sides of the matrix, after which the matrix is released and permit-ted to proceed. Preferably and as shown, a blade 44 is provided for this purpose, the blade being arranged to reciprocate through the standard 5 so that its front end may be projected between the opposed operative faces of the belts 31 and and into a position to receive the foot or lower edge of each matrix as it is advanced by the movements of the cleaning belts, the progress ofthe matrix being arrested by this blade and the continued movements of the belts will effect the desired cleaning action on the fiat sides of the matrix while the latter is held from advancing by the blade 44; but when this blade is retracted out of the path of the matrix, the latter is caused to proceed by the movement imparted to it by the belts 31 and 32 until the matrix is discharged from the belts. The blade or other matrix intercepting device operates in proper timed relation to the operation of the matrix lifter which causes the matrices to be delivered successively to the cleaning belts; Preferably and as shown, this blade isactuated from the reciprocatory bar 23 which actuates the matrix lifter, the bar 23 in the present instance having an inclined or cam-shaped slottherein which receives a pin 46 attached to the blade 44, the bar 23 moving into a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the bar 44, and the pin and slot connec tion between these parts causing the blade 44 to be projected into a position to intercept and hold a matrix in cleaning position between the belts 31 and 02 each time the bar 23 is operated to lift the matrix feeder 19 so that each matrix as it is delivered from the trough 7 will be immediately received and held by theblade 44 until the return movement of the bar 23 takes place, the matrix during this interval being subjected to the cleaning action of the belts 31 and 32. Each time the matrix feeder 19 is retracted preparatory to its engagement with the next succeeding matrix in the trough 7, the blade 44 isretracted to. permit the previously (18+ liver-edJmatrix. to discharge from the cleaning belts.

T he cleaning belts 31 and 32 are driven in unison; and preferably" at equal speed by pulleys 4'7; and 48- Which are fixed to the belt. pulleys and 34s and are connected by a; crossed belt 49,.and one of the pulleys,.the pulley 48in the present instance, is lined to another pulley which latter isdriven by a belt 51. which cooperates with a pulley 52', the latter being; fined on the cam shaft 26;

The matrices deliwered: fromthe belts 31 and: are received by cleaning devices which operate to clean. the edges of thematrices. Preferably and as shown, a trough 53 is mounted on the standard 5 so that one end, thereof extendsbelow the point at which: the: matrices are discharged from the cleaning belts so that these. matrices will drop edgewise and inupright. position. into the receivingend oi the trough 53. Al reciprocatory plunger 5d,.supported by a suitable guide155 operates endwise at the receiving end of. the: trough 53,. it being retracted prior to the reception: of each matrix and being forced; endwise into the trough so as to engage and advance each matrix as it enters this trough. The plunger 54: may be actuated in any suitable way, it being provided in the present instancewith an' arm; 56 which isoperatively connected thereto and mounted. on a. shaft or pivotal: support 5?,thearm 56 being fixed to another arm 58 which-lat.- ter arm cooperates with the cam 25;. A spring 59 acts to retract the plunger 5i and to hold the arm 58 in proper operative relation with the cam- 25. By this construction, the plunger 54 will: be pushed; into the matrix-receiving. end of the trough 53' after each matrix. has been delivered theret.o;. The last delivered matrix. in the trough 53- will constitute the rearmost matrix in a row or line. of matrices contained in this trough, the matrices in this trough standing; upright with their fiat sides in engagement with one another, and hence the advancement ot the last delivered or rearmost matrix in. the trough 53 will cause the row of matrices in advance of the rearmost matrix to be fed forward. The range of movement of the plunger 54 is sufiicient to provide ample space in rear of the row of matrices to receive the widest matrices to be handled and it will be understood that the row of matrices will be advanced by each stroke of the plunger 54% a distance equal to the thickness of each matrix delivered to the trough immediately preceding. such stroke of the plunger. The plunger 54loccupies its retracted position until the cam 25 has actuated the bar23- to withdraw the blade 44 and thus cause delivery of a matrix. from the belts 31 and 32, the forward stroke of. the plunger L following this operation and. taking; place: while another matrix delivered by the: matrix feeder isheld by the blade ll: and is undergoingthe cleaning action of the belts31 and 32; V

The devices for cleaning the edges of the matrices preferably .act. on the matrices while the latter are contained in the trough 53. For this purpose, the opposite sides ofthis trough are cut away to form openings 60 which expose the front and rear vertical. edges of the matrices. The side walls of the trough may be joined and thus. held rigidly in; alinemen-t' by. flanges 61 which bridge the; openings 60;. Pairs of brushes- 62, 63 and 645,65 are; mounted at opposite sides of the trough. 53so that these brushes.

Will. act on the exposed. vertical sides of the matrices contained in the trough. The brushes at; oppositesidesof the trough are preferably. staggered in. a direction longitudina'l'ly thereof and: also the. brushes and 64: are; preferably located at a different level relatively to they brushes 63 and 65 so that the brusheswill act on relatively different portions oat thematrices and thus. insure thorough cleaningcot the entire vertical edges thereof. As shown, the brushes 62 and 64' are mounted on shafts- 66 and 67 and are. connected to driven pulleys 68 and 69, While the brushes 68 and 65 are mounted on shafts 6.6 and 67 and are connected. to driven pulleys 70 and. 7.1. These shafts may be conveniently supported on the divergent arms 72 and 7301. a bracket 7%, the latter being secured, as shown, tothe standard. 5 and the arms and. 73straddling the trough53.

Thebrushes 621,563,. 6% and 65 are driven continuously by a pair of endlessbelts 75 and 76,.the ends of which pass over the pulleys 68, 69, 70- and 71 respectively and their intermediate portions pass under pulleys 77, 78' and 79, 80: respectively, two of these pulleys, as for example, the pulleys 77 and 80 being; fixed to a shaft 81 and the other two pulleys: '18. and. 79.- being loose or rotatable relatively to said shaft, The shaft 81' is driven. continuously by a pulley 82 which is. fixed thereon; and: cooperates with a belt 83 which is driven from the belt. pulley 84 on the driving motor 3,. and the shaft 81 has a worm 85 which. meshes with. a worm.

wheel 86 on the cam shaft. 26,. whereby the latter. is driven continuouslybut at a slower speed.

The HHZUIlCQS which have been. cleaned by the brushes 62, 63, 6d and 65 are pushed out of the trough. 53' by the successive operations of the plunger 54' and. they are preferably reeeived by a detachable trough 8 which may be similar to or interchangeable with the trough 8 and is adapted to be held detachably in alinement with the trough by screws 81 cooperating with slots 88 in the trough, as shown, or other suitable 30 .the shaft 81 and also the brushes 62, 63,

.ing belts 31 and 32.

means, this trough 8 being removed from the machine whenit has received a suitable number of matrices from the machine. 7

The mode of operation of a matrix cleaning machine constructed as hereinbefore described is as follows. The matrices to be cleaned are first placed in a suitable number of the interchangeable troughs 8, in such manner that. they stand in upright position in the troughs with their flat sides presented to one another and the kerfs m all at the rear sides of the matrices, and the troughs containing the matrices are dipped in gasoline or other suitable solvent, then suspended for a few minutes to permit drainage of. the gasoline or solvent, after which oneof the troughs containing the matrices is applied to the machine. This trough is mounted on the machine in alinement with the relatively fixed troughs 7 and the spring-pressed follower 11 is placed so that it will act on the. rear of the row or line of matrices contained in these troughs, the follower thus acting to force the line of matrices toward the right in Figures 1 and 2 and the movement of the line of matrices in this direction will be arrested by the wall 17 which is located at the discharge end of the chute 7.

Assuming that the motor 3 isrunning,

64 and 65 will be driven continuously at appropriate speed and the cam shaft 26 and also the cleaning belts 31 and 32 will be driven continuously at a relatively slower speed, and in the direction of thearrows, Figure 1, through the worm gearing 85 and 86. lVhen the cam 25 forces the projection 24 and hence the bar 23 upwardly, the matrix feeder 19 will be lowered or retracted, thus permitting the foremost matrix in the line to assume a position immediately above the matrix feeder, but this matrix which bears against the wall 17 rests on the bot tom of the trough 7 and hence it will be out of register with the discharge opening 18. Concurrent with the retraction of the matrix feeder 19, the matrix stopping blade 44 is retracted to permit the discharge of'a matrix which has been undergoing cleaning by the cleaning belts 31 and 32. At this time, the cam 25 is out of contact with the arm 58 which actuates the plunger 54 and hence the plunger will be in its retracted position to permit the trough 53 to receive the matrix discharged from the clean As the cam shaft 26 continues to revolve, the cam 25 will cause downward movement of the bar 23 and this will cause the matrix feeder 19 to rise, pushing the matrix above it into registration with 32. Concurrent with the matrix feeding operation of the matrix, feeder 19, the matrix stoppingblade 44 will be pushed inwardly between the cleaning belts and, will be thus caused to assume a position in the path of the matrix delivered by the matrix -feeder, the further progress of this matrix being thereby arrested and the continued movements of the cleaning belts-will cause the latter to perform a cleaning actionupon the opposed fiat sides of the matrix. As the operation of the machine continues the cam 25 will engage the arm. 58 and will cause the plunger 54 to make a stroke in the direction of advance of the line of matrices contained in the trough 53. The matrix previously discharged into the trough 53 from the cleaning belts 31 and 32 will'be thus engaged by the plunger 54 and the forward stroke of the latter will advance the line of matrices in the trough for a distance equal to the thickness of the last delivered matrix. As the cam 26 passes and disengages from the arm 58, the spring 59 retracts the plunger 54, thus providing a space 'between the I forward end of the plunger and the rearmost matrix in the trough 53 to receive the next matrix robe discharged from the cleaning belts. This matrix is discharged from the cleaning belts. as the continued rotation of the cam 25 brings the cam into a position where it engages and disengages from the projection 24 on the bar 23. The vertical edges of the matrices contained in the trough 53 are cleaned by the continuously revolving brushes 62, 63, G4 and 65, the matrices in the trough being successively brought into position to be acted on by these brushes by the advancement of the line of matrices through the action of the plunger 54. It will be under stood that each detachable trough 8 can be removed from the machine, after a sufficient number of matrices has been deposited therein, and that different troughs 8 each containing matrices may be successively applied to the matrix feed trough 7 ,this interchangeable trough arrangement enabling tions of dirt from the matrices, by holding a stiff brush against these belts where they pass over the pulleys 33 and 34 while these belts are running.

The present invention provides a matrix cleaning machine which is capable of operating rapidly and efficientlyto thorough y clean the matrices, thus obviating the labor and expense heretofore required by the hand cleaning methods previously used. Moreover, this invention enables matrices to be cleaned without appreciable injury thereto and hence the matrices can be cleaned more irequentiy and they will withstand a greater number of cleaning operations than has heretofore been possible. By cleaning the matrices more thoroughly and more trequently greater efliciency in the operation of the'type casting machine using such matrices can be attained and superior type here can be produced.

VVe claim as our invention 1. A matrix cleaning machine comprising in combination, cooperative cleaning members presenting opposed portions to receive matrices between them and to operate on opposite sides theredii, means for moving said opposed portions in the same direction while in engagement with the opposite sides of a matrix to advance and also clean the matrix, and means for holding the matrix against advance during the cleaning operation.

2. Ai'ma trix cleaning machine comprising, in combination, cooperative cleaning members -ha-ving-directly opposed portions movable in the same direction and arranged to receive matrices between them and tooperate concurrently on the opposite flat sides-thereol- :to advance and clean them, means for feeding matrices successively to said opposed portions-o'fthe cleaning members, and aneans to successively hold the matrices against advance and in position to be operated on 'by thecleaning members.

'3. Amatrix cleaning machine comprising in combination *a pair of cleaning members having opposed portions movable in the same direction and providing a'vertical passageway between them, means for feeding -matrices "successively to the upper end of said passageway for advance by said cleaning members, and means'to successively hold thematrices in position to be acted on concurrently 'on opposite sides by said cleaning members.

l. Flu-a matrix cleaning machine, the combination of a pair 0'1 matrix cleaning members having opposed vertical portions movable n the same direction, means for successively dropping matrices by gravity into a position betweenthe upper ends of said opposed portions'of the cleaning members to be advanced "thereby, and means to successively intercept and hold the matrices against advanc'ing while engaged 'by said opposed portions of the cleaning members and thus cause the cleaning members to perform concurrent cleaning actions on opposite sides of the matrices.

5. In aimatrix cleaning machine, the com bination of a pair of travelling cleaning members having opposed operative portions for the passage of matrices between them,

and "means operative to hold a matrix from' movement while it is between and 1S being acted on "by the opposed portions of the leaning members. 7

6. In a matrix cleaning machine, the com bination of a pair of cleaning belts having relatively opposed'portions travelling in the same direction to cause the passage ol matrices therefrom, and means for temporarily interrupting the passage of the matrices to cause the belts to perform a cleaning operation thereon.

7. In a matrix-cleaning machine, the:combination of a pair of relatively opposed cleaning members arranged in substantial parallelism andoperative to receive and advance a matrix while the latter is-engaged between them, and a blade adapted to assume a position between said members and to arrest the movement ofa zmatrix engaged between them.

8. In a matrix cleaning machine, the=combination of cooperative cleaning m'embers having relatively opposed portions movable in the same direction and acting to advance a matrix 'while engaged between them,

means for successively reedir'ig matrices to the cleaning members, and means operative in timed relation with the feeding means for successively arresting the "movement of the matrices while between and engaged by the cleaning members.

'9. In a matrix cleaning machine, the coin bination o1 opposed cleaning members having means for causing portions thereof to- 10. In a machine for cleaning the fiat sides land edges'of matrices for typographical maehines, the combination or travelling cleaning members adapted for the passage of such matrices between them with the flat sides of the matrices engaged by the cleaning means, feeding means operative to supply matrices successively 'to the cleaning members, means tor temporarilyarresting the passage of the matrices between the cleaning members, means to receive the matrices edgewise from the cleaning members and to stack them in fiatwise'relation,

and cleaning means to act onthe edges of the matrices.

11. In a matrix cleaning machine, the

combination of a trough adapted to contain a stack of matrices in upri'ght position, -portions of the walls of the trough being :cut

away in staggered relation at opposite sides of the trough to expose the opposite vertical edges of matrices contained therein, cleaning devices located in correspondingly staggered relation at opposite sides of the trough and operative through said cut-awayportions and on the respective opposite edges of matrices in the trough, and means operative to advance the stack of matrices along the trough and past said cleaning devices.

12. In a matrix cleaning machine, the combination of a trough adapted to contain a stack of matrices, portions of the opposite Walls of the trough being cut away in staggored relation to alternately expose the opposite edges of the matrices during their 15 advance through the trough, cleaning devices located in correspondingly staggered relation at opposite sides of the trough and operative through the respective cut-away portions therein and on the opposite edges 20 of the different matrices in the trough, and means operative to advance the stack of matrices step-by-step along the trough and past said cleaning devices.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 25 my hand.

JOHN M. COONEY. FRANK WINTER. 

